No one questions that Walt Disney, the famed creator of illusions, is now considered a legend, but Beyond what is commonly known about him, there is much to discover As far as curious facts are concerned: from obsessions that pursued him all his life to a quite fruitful and long-lasting relationship with the United States Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
To celebrate him and at the same time delve into his extensive legacy, we compile these known aspects of his life, which will surely be quite impressive.
Next, several curious facts about Walt Disney.
Since childhood
It is little known that his fascination with animals stems from a tragic episode in his childhood.
He was 7 years old and bored on his family’s Missouri farm. Therefore, he began to observe an owl that was passing by. Suddenly, the boy instinctively grabbed the bird, but when it started scratching him to try to escape from it, he got scared, so he dropped it. The fall caused the animal to lose its life, an event that traumatized Walt and haunted him in his dreams for years. In fact, he has a short film called The Skeleton Dance, which he opens with an owl perched on a tree.
Mortimer
This was the name that the creative had in mind for a certain world-famous mouse. However, one of the curious facts about Walt Disney is that he decided to change it to Mickey at the suggestion of his wife, Lillian.
Mickey Rooney, the renowned actor, used to say that the animator was inspired by the name for the mischievous rodent after meeting him in his office at the Warner Brothers studios, but this rumor was denied by historian Jim Korkis, who assured that Disney never He had no professional relationship with WB.
Another favorite son of the Academy
The animator got more than 60 nominations, but, in addition, his animated shorts won 26 statuettes. On the other hand, he has four honorary awards: one in 1932, for the creation of Mickey Mouse; another for his contribution to animation with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, in 1939; another in 1942, for his contribution to sound in films, with Fantasia, and finally, in that same year, an Irving G. Thalberg Award, given to producers whose filmography reflects consistent quality.
War
Walt Disney always had a close relationship with wars. At age 16, he enlisted in the Red Cross to help in World War I. Years later, during the Second War, the producer was also commissioned to make several short films supporting American soldiers, in addition to making commemorative badges with the faces of his characters.
In addition to this, the businessman also produced several short films with anti-Nazi propaganda. Perhaps the most famous of these is “Der Fuehrer’s Face”, the one where Donald Duck is seen reading “My Struggle”, authored by Adolf Hitler.
Continue reading: Curious facts about Walt Disney
In the original park there is a fire station and, below it, is the secret apartment that the creative had. Yes, it was quite a mystery! Currently, the space is only open for private tours to VIP guests.
What stands out is that, currently, nothing has changed and everything is still in its place, from furniture to tapestries. Additionally, there is always a light on, symbolizing that Walt will always be present. Once, a fan who wanted to meet Disney tried to enter the apartment after gaining access to the emergency tube, which connected directly to the house.
Kurt Russell
Shortly before he died, Disney wrote down his last words on a piece of paper. To the surprise of many, the only thing he wrote was the name “Kurt Russell.” For years, it has been a mystery why the creative decided to use the actor’s name in the –unfinished– farewell to him.
When Walt died it was 1966 and, at that time, Russell was just a teenage actor just beginning his career in the studio. What’s more, not even the interpreter knows the reason for the strange event.
His favourite song
Another curious fact about Walt Disney. Although there are many iconic songs in the movie Mary Poppins, the producer liked one in particular: “Feed the Birds”, belonging to the scene in which the Banks children invest their two cents buying a handful of bread from an old lady to feed the pigeons.
According to famous composer Richard Sherman, Disney would often stop by his office on Friday afternoons and ask for a custom rendition of the song, since he loved it and considered it the centerpiece of the film.
An ideal couple
In the early years of Mickey and Minnie, Disney voiced both characters. His run as Mickey was long, spanning several decades. However, her role as the mouse’s girlfriend was shorter, lasting only one year, from 1928 to 1929.
José Roberto Landaverde I am fascinated by writing, listening, reading and commenting on everything related to cinema. I love music and I am a fan of The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac and Paramore. My favorite movies are Rocky and Back to the Future and obviously one day I will climb the “Philly Steps” and drive a DeLorean. Faithful believer that cinema is the best teleporting machine, and also that on the big screen we can all see ourselves represented.